With the Sennheiser HD800 what is a comfortable listening level on your dial? I have read varying reports on how much headroom vs. move to room on the volume control there is.

How difficult is it to set a Japanese one up for 110v vs. 100v? Is a step-down transformer viable? I have a friend who lives in Tokyo that could possibly get me a 300XS and bring it back to the states when he visits us in the fall.

I didn't find there to really be any trouble finding a reasonable level with the HD800.

I could see it being 'slightly too quiet' to 'slightly too loud' step wise for some people though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toschek

MorbidToaster -

With the Sennheiser HD800 what is a comfortable listening level on your dial? I have read varying reports on how much headroom vs. move to room on the volume control there is.

How difficult is it to set a Japanese one up for 110v vs. 100v? Is a step-down transformer viable? I have a friend who lives in Tokyo that could possibly get me a 300XS and bring it back to the states when he visits us in the fall.

So how about a step down transformer or step down & line conditioner? I wouldn't want to run a 100v device right off the wall, but would a step down radically effect SQ?

PS I am quite happy with my Lyr, it is just great with headphones ... but I have speakers in the closet, I get sick of being on a leash sometimes & our HT just does not cut it. My Marantz needs serious work and I never really loved the sound of it either, so no point in repairing that

I bought my Leben cs300xs here in Australia 240volt version $3250 with sovtek power tubes and electroharmonex 12xa7 pre tubes which I have replaced for nos 5751 windmill getters awesome tubes & Philips miniwatts for the power section - I some time use the leben with my Zu Audio Super Soulfly speakers - nice combo. Morbid I have the well tempered simplex - just got back into vinyl again - last time was in the 80's lol.

I bought my Leben cs300xs here in Australia 240volt version $3250 with sovtek power tubes and electroharmonex 12xa7 pre tubes which I have replaced for nos 5751 windmill getters awesome tubes & Philips miniwatts for the power section - I some time use the leben with my Zu Audio Super Soulfly speakers - nice combo. Morbid I have the well tempered simplex - just got back into vinyl again - last time was in the 80's lol.

I know this is an odd request, but are there any 300XS owners in the bay area who'd be willing to demo for me in exchange for a nice bottle of vino? I really want to buy but I'd kinda like to hear one first ...

I bought my Leben cs300xs here in Australia 240volt version $3250 with sovtek power tubes and electroharmonex 12xa7 pre tubes which I have replaced for nos 5751 windmill getters awesome tubes & Philips miniwatts for the power section - I some time use the leben with my Zu Audio Super Soulfly speakers - nice combo. Morbid I have the well tempered simplex - just got back into vinyl again - last time was in the 80's lol.

I hear nothing but praise for Zu's gear. How are those Soulfly's? We have a pair of Definitive Tech STS but I am considering selling them. My wife hates the way they look, and TBH I don't care for them either, they look like something from a dentist's office. I figure I can recoup at least $2k from selling them (which isn't much less than I paid used) and get something that actually looks nice in the living room. The Zu's are really attractive, but how do they perform really? Especially in a low watt situation? We were looking at the Omen Def MK.I-B since they'll fit nicely on the sides of our living area or maybe the Soulfly's. I want to be able to turn it up and not have to sit too close, although I know there are always going to be limitations. Our living area is about 15x25 with 10ft ceilings.

Edit: Sorry for going slightly off-topic, more or less trying to suss out the synergy of Zu speakers with the Leben.Edited by toschek - 3/10/13 at 12:08am